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For years, high schools across the globe have offered Advanced Placement (or AP) courses that allow students to engage with college-level curricula and potentially earn college credit. However, AP Capstone is a new diploma program that supplements these courses and focuses on scholarly research and teamwork.
Implemented by the College Board in the fall of 2014, the program is currently available in a handful of schools, with an eye toward expanding into others. It consists of three components: AP Seminar, AP Research, and four additional AP classes.
1. AP Seminar
AP Seminar is a foundational course, which means that it is often a student's
... Read More About What Is the AP Capstone Program?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Matthew received his Bachelor’s degree in History from Haverford College. He is currently a tutor in Philadelphia specializing in Chemistry, History, Literature, and several other subjects. See what he had to say about his experience at Haverford College:
VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike?
Matthew: The Haverford College campus is an arboretum, so the grounds are particularly nice. In the spring and fall,
... Read More About Should I Go To Haverford College?

Many students, especially those who return to school later in life, have ample work experience and career-related education, but no college credits to show for it. The same is often true of students who have completed coursework in an alternative or informal environment.
Luckily, colleges are becoming increasingly aware of and sensitive to the needs of students who would benefit from alternative ways of earning credit toward their degrees. The CLEP exams are one such method for doing so.
What are CLEP exams?
CLEP, also known as the College-Level Examination Program, administers exams that students can take in order to earn college credit. C
... Read More About Everything You Need to Know About CLEP Exams

For many high school students, the end of winter break signals the beginning of Advanced Placement (AP) prep. Crunch time for AP tests can certainly be stressful. When it comes to studying for your exams, it is important to spend your study time wisely in order to be well prepared by May.
This includes avoiding AP prep myths, which can be harmful to your success. Believing these misconceptions can lead to poor study habits or to dissatisfaction with your progress, thus making it more difficult to succeed on your AP tests.
Below are the four most common AP prep myths:
1. “I will be fine studying for my AP exams on my own”
With p
... Read More About 4 Myths About AP Prep

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Anne received her Bachelor’s degree in Biophysics from Harvard University. She is currently a tutor in Portland specializing in Geometry, Physics, SAT Math, and several other subjects. See what she had to say about her experience at Harvard University:
VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike?
Anne: The Harvard University campus is extremely safe. I always felt comfortable walking around, even very late in the
... Read More About My Experience at Harvard University

A growing number of colleges are moving toward offering electronic textbooks for purchase or rental. There are many advantages to using electronic textbooks, including lower cost (in some instances) and ease of transportation. It is often more convenient to carry a tablet than several heavy books.
However, if you are accustomed to print textbooks, effectively perusing an electronic textbook might require new skills. Here are three ways to utilize your electronic textbooks to their full potential:
Mark up the text
A main difference that students note between using traditional textbooks and using electronic textbooks is the way th
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The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Manuel is a New York City tutor and 2010 graduate of Columbia University. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Physics and tutors several subjects, including Algebra, Physics, and SAT Math. Check out what Manuel had to say about his time at Columbia University:
VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike?
Manuel: One of the best things about attending Columbia University is living on the campus. While the schoo
... Read More About A Day in the Life at Columbia University

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Aakash is a San Francisco-Bay Area tutor and 2013 graduate of University of California-Berkeley. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health and Psychology and tutors several subjects, including Algebra, Geometry, and Physics. Check out what Aakash had to say about his time at University of California-Berkeley:
VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike?
Aakash: University of California-Berkeley’s campus
... Read More About A Student Review of University of California-Berkeley

Inadequate preparation is one of the biggest reasons students do not perform at their best on academic tests. Yet, another key component to test prep is finding and maintaining a positive state of mind while studying and taking the exam.
Staying positive will reduce the inherent stress involved with studying, thus increasing your ability to concentrate and retain information. Likewise, keeping calm while taking the test enables you to more easily remember content while under pressure.
Fortunately, the New Year can be a new opportunity to perfect your studying routine. Take these six test prep mantras to heart in order to minimize stress and
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The revised MCAT, which will be introduced for the first time in April 2015, will shift its focus to a more interdisciplinary and integrative mindset. Students who intend to take this version of the exam can refer to the guide below for more information about its sections, the skills it assesses, and the best ways to prepare.
What does the MCAT2015 test?
There are four sections on the MCAT2015. Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems emphasizes central biological processes, including those that are biochemical in nature. (Students should note that biochemistry is a new addition to the MCAT.) Chemical and Physical Found
... Read More About What is On the MCAT2015?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Brendan is a Seattle tutor and 2012 graduate of Boston University. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and tutors several subjects, including Geometry, GRE Quantitative prep, and Music Theory. Check out what Brendan had to say about his time at Boston University:
VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike?
Brendan: Boston University is one of the best examples of an urban campus. The campus is almost full
... Read More About My Experience at Boston University

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Dan received his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Oregon State University. He is currently a tutor in Tucson specializing in Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Statistics, and several other subjects. See what he had to say about his experience at Oregon State University:
VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike?
Dan: When I attended Oregon State University, it was a campus of fewer than 15,000 students in a
... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Oregon State University?

Dual enrollment programs are academic arrangements that allow students to enroll in two separate learning institutions, such as a high school and a college. Dual enrollment programs permit students to take college-level classes and to receive university credit while they are still in high school. For some students, this is a great opportunity. However, dual enrollment programs are not for everyone. If you are contemplating a dual enrollment program, here are several factors to consider before you commit:
Advantages of dual enrollment programs
There are many benefits to dual enrollment programs. One potential advantage is financial – in
... Read More About When to Choose a Dual Enrollment Program

As a high school student, you are presented with a plethora of choices regarding classes, and the process of selecting your courses can be very overwhelming. After all, there are dual credit programs, AP classes, and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses from which to choose. There are also internships and electives. If you are college-bound, your choices are of particular importance.
So how do you know which classes are right for you? In order to make the best possible choices for your academic career, you must first be aware of all your options. And while many students are familiar with AP classes, IB courses are a bit more mysterious.
... Read More About What High School Students Should Know About IB Courses

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Erik received his Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics and his Master of Science from University of Minnesota. He is currently a tutor in Minneapolis specializing in Algebra, Calculus, Mechanical Engineering, and several other subjects. See what he had to say about his experience at University of Minnesota:
VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike?
Erik: University of Minnesota has one of th
... Read More About Should I Go To University of Minnesota?

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